# Malik Williams

Malik Williams (born August 26, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the Sioux Falls Skyforce of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals.

## High school career

Williams played basketball for R. Nelson Snider High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. As a senior, he averaged 21.5 points, 12.5 rebounds and four blocks per game, leading his team to its first Summit Athletic Conference title since 2009. Williams was one of four finalists for the Indiana Mr. Basketball award. He left as the program's all-time leader in rebounds and blocks.

### Recruiting

Williams was considered a five-star recruit by 247Sports and ESPN, and a four-star recruit by Rivals. On August 4, 2016, he committed to playing college basketball for Louisville over offers from Purdue, Michigan State and Indiana, among others.
College recruiting information :
| Name | Hometown | High school / college | Height | Weight | Commit date |
| Malik Williams PF / C | Fort Wayne, IN | R. Nelson Snider (IN) | 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) | 215 lb (98 kg) | Aug 4, 2016 |
| Star ratings: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN: ESPN grade: 90 ||||||
| Overall recruiting rankings: Rivals: 30 247Sports: 31 ESPN: 29 ||||||
| Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Louisville 2017 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 22, 2021. "2017 Louisville Cardinals Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved October 22, 2021. "2017 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved October 22, 2021. ||||||

## College career

As a freshman at Louisville, Williams averaged 3.8 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. On January 6, 2019, he posted a career-high 19 points and 11 rebounds in a 90–73 win against Miami (Florida). Williams averaged 7.7 points and 6.1 rebounds per game as a sophomore. He missed the first four games of his junior season after undergoing surgery for a broken foot. As a junior, Williams averaged 8.5 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, and was the runner-up for Atlantic Coast Conference Sixth Man of the Year. He was limited to three games in his senior season after reinjuring his foot twice. He returned to Louisville for his fifth season of eligibility, granted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On February 1, 2022, Williams was indefinitely suspended due to failing to uphold program standards, but was reinstated on February 7 after missing two games.

## Professional career
### Anwil Włocławek (2023)

After going undrafted in the 2022 NBA draft, Williams signed with Anwil Włocławek of the Polish Basketball League on January 1, 2023.

### Sioux Falls Skyforce (2023–2024)

On October 30, Williams joined the Sioux Falls Skyforce as a tryout player, but was waived on November 8. Five days later, he re-joined the Skyforce where he played 33 games and averaged 11.1 points, 9.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 23.2 minutes.

### Toronto Raptors (2024)

On April 3, 2024, Williams signed a 10-day contract with the Toronto Raptors and on April 13, he signed for the rest of the season.

### Return to Sioux Falls (2024–present)

On September 11, 2024, Williams signed with the Miami Heat, but was waived the next day. On October 28, he rejoined the Sioux Falls Skyforce.

## Career statistics
### NBA

Source

#### Regular season

| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| 2023–24 | Toronto | 7 | 2 | 15.2 | .265 | .200 | .000 | 5.4 | .3 | .4 | .6 | 2.7 |
| Career | Career | 7 | 2 | 15.2 | .265 | .200 | .000 | 5.4 | .3 | .4 | .6 | 2.7 |

### College

| Year | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
| 2017–18 | Louisville | 32 | 12 | 10.6 | .418 | .323 | .688 | 2.4 | .2 | .4 | .4 | 3.8 |
| 2018–19 | Louisville | 34 | 20 | 18.2 | .420 | .318 | .701 | 6.1 | .3 | .3 | 1.2 | 7.7 |
| 2019–20 | Louisville | 26 | 3 | 18.7 | .497 | .290 | .648 | 6.1 | .3 | .5 | .6 | 8.5 |
| 2020–21 | Louisville | 3 | 2 | 20.7 | .300 | .286 | .250 | 6.0 | 1.0 | .7 | .0 | 5.0 |
| Career | Career | 95 | 37 | 15.8 | .439 | .314 | .667 | 4.9 | .3 | .4 | .7 | 6.5 |

## Personal life

Williams wears the number 5 jersey and has a tattoo on his right forearm to honor his friend and former R. Nelson Snider High School girls basketball player, Peytin Chamble, who died in a car accident at age 17.